There are various reasons why you might have to reapply for your own job. Some companies require that employees do it for legal reasons, to make departmental changes, or as a result of a merger or acquisition. For whatever reason you find yourself having to reapply for your own job, understand it can be emotionally difficult, no matter what level of the organization you are in. To help you get through the process of reapplying for your own job and have a greater chance of keeping your job, follow the steps described in this article.

Steps

Method1

Following Internal Procedure Properly

1

Update your resume to highlight your experience. The last resume you submitted to your company does not include your current position. It is important to add this experience to your resume so you can look good on paper and present your value to the company.

Be sure to add your key duties and accomplishments, including any quantifiable results.

For example, “Implemented new tracking system to reduce mistakes by 30%”.

2

Submit your resume and/or application to make sure you are considered. Depending on how your company handles the hiring process, you may need to either apply for your job by submitting your resume and/or filling out an application form (online or paper).

Whatever the case may be, it is important to complete all requirements in their entirety.

This means answering all questions and providing all information necessary.

3

Wait for an interview. Once you have followed the application procedure, it is time to wait until you are called to interview for your job. At this time it is important to be patient. This is a lot of work for those running this procedure and they have to figure out all the details before reaching out to applicants for an interview.

It will not look favorable if you keep asking about your potential interview.

Method2

Taking the Interview Process Seriously

1

Don’t assume you will be rehired. You must take this situation seriously! Just because you already have this job and you feel you are great at it, does not mean the company will keep you. Throughout this process, the company has the ability to either hire someone they feel is more suited for the job or eliminate your position all together.

The first step to taking this process seriously is to not assume you will easily be rehired.

If you do not have the mindset that you “own” the job, you will be more willing to follow the process and compete vigorously for your job.

If you do not take the process seriously you will risk losing your job.

2

Remain professional and follow interviewing best practices. It is important to remain professional and treat the process as if you are applying for a job at a new company. This may be difficult if you know the person interviewing you, but the truth is that you are there to impress them, remind them why you were chosen for the job in the first place and describe your success in this role thus far.

Follow interview best practices such as dressing professionally, wearing a smile, providing a strong handshake, listening actively to the interviewer, bringing a copy of your resume and preparing to speak about yourself (job duties, accomplishments, abilities, knowledge, strengths and your desire to keep your job).

3

Explain your day to day duties truthfully. You may find yourself having to explain what you really do during the day versus what is written in the job description. Sometimes these are two very different things and the interviewer may be surprised at the tasks you complete without formal documentation.

For example, your job may be to receive technical complaints, issues and inquiries from software users. Once you receive this information, you pass it over to the IT techs that can help. You do not answer or resolve anything.

When you are asked, “what do you do here” it will be false to say or even imply that you provide some level of tech support when in actuality you do not.

Whatever the case may be, it is important to not exaggerate what you do. Giving false accounts of what you do to make you seem more vital will eventually catch up to you and may cause a negative impact.

4

Show your value to increase your chances of being kept. As with any other interview it is important to express your strengths and accomplishments most relevant to the role. Since you already know what the role entails, you are at an advantage because all you need to do is explain what you have contributed to the company while in this role.

The easiest way to show your value is by quantifying your accomplishments and providing specific examples of what you have done and what the results were.

For example, you were able to implement a new campaign that targeted new customers in the southeast region which increased sales by 35% within 2 months.

Method3

Taking Extra Steps to Secure Your Position

1

Keep your feelings under control. When you are notified you will have to reapply for your job, it is normal to have mixed emotions. This is a very stressful situation and you have every right to feel offended, angry, anxious, nervous and/or upset. No matter how you are feeling from the time you are notified through the decision process, it is important to remain calm at work and not let your emotions make matters worse.

If you are overwhelmed by your emotions you may regret your actions, which may present a negative impression and minimize your chances of keeping your job.

2

Volunteer for extra projects and tasks. While it may seem you are sucking up by volunteering for extra projects, it is important to offer your assistance and show initiative. During company changes, coworkers and supervisors may be pulled in multiple directions and may need a helping hand until things calm down.

If you recognize the need for assistance and sincerely offer to help, you will be seen as loyal and dedicated to the company, your department and/or team.

For example, your supervisor is very involved in the new and potential company changes and does not have time to head up weekly team meetings. You are the most senior employee on your team and have the leadership quality to head up the meetings in your supervisor’s absence.

Offering to assist with this task will take something off of your supervisor’s plate and will be noted during your reapplication process.

3

Actively participate in meetings. You want to make your value to the company known. Even though you are not in an interview, you must use any time spent with decision makers to your advantage by actively participating in meetings and sharing your ideas.

In doing so, you will offer your expertise and express your value to the company and hopefully get some extra points.

For example, you contributed to the discussion about expanding markets during a meeting with your team, supervisor and the director of your department. You shared your idea of reaching out to a particular target market that is untapped and can benefit from the product. Expressing this insight can show your ability to think strategically and offer new ideas to benefit the company.

4

Strengthen your work relationships. It is important to always develop, strengthen and maintain working relationships with coworkers and management both inside and outside of your department. It is more so important to do this during a time of uncertainty with the company.

Having sincere and strong working relationships can help others view you as an integral part of the company with ties to various areas.

When there is turmoil in the company and people are trying to hold their jobs, there is no shame in leveraging these relationships to your benefit by remaining a positive contributor to the company and a true fit for the company culture.

5

Be patient during the decision making process. Staying calm and being patient will be very difficult during this time of uncertainty. If you are good at your job, provide great value to the company, and followed the steps listed above, you have done all you can do to keep your job.

It is now up to your employer and you must wait for that decision to be made. Stay positive and hang in there!